PALM DESERT, Calif. – Since her death at 93, Betty Ford has been justly praised for publicizing her battles with breast cancer and alcoholism. As President Obama put it, her candor and courage gave “countless Americans a new lease on life.”

But long before her husband became president in 1974 – and she became a national celebrity – Ford spent many years in another demanding role: political wife. When she was planning her own funeral five years ago, she asked Cokie to speak about that period in her life. Here is a condensed version of that eulogy:

“When Mrs. Ford assigned me the daunting honor of speaking at her funeral, it will surprise none of you to learn that the assignment came with instructions. Mrs. Ford wanted me to remind everyone of the way things used to be in Washington. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she timed her death to make sure she could convey the message of comity during this week, when it seems so badly needed.